JAMES McARTHUR seemed destined to operate in the shadow of pal James McCarthy at Hamilton and Wigan. But over the past six months, McArthur has emerged into the sunlight.

JAMES McARTHUR seemed destined to operate in the shadow of pal James McCarthy at Hamilton and Wigan.

Both Glaswegian, both talented but McCarthy was always the one tipped for the top. He still is and the fact he chose the Republic of Ireland over Scotland is a loss for Craig Levein.

But over the past six months, McArthur has emerged into the sunlight. The 24-year-old has been instrumental in Wigan’s Premiership survival, aided and abetted by fellow Scots Gary Caldwell and Shaun Maloney – both of whom will join him on international duty in Florida next week.

The Scotland boss yesterday named 22 players for the match against the USA in Jacksonville on May 26 and believes the trio from Wigan will play a massive part, not only in this friendly but in the World Cup qualifying campaign that follows.

McArthur, he insists, has elevated himself from fringe player to one who has an outstanding chance of becoming a first pick.

Levein said: “McArthur has been fantastic. He has improved his game enormously which is great credit to Rob Martinez and Wigan.

“He doesn’t dwell on the ball anywhere near as much as he used to. There is a much safer feel about him – they’ve got him to understand the position he plays. Every time I have watched him, he has played a great game.

“It is natural to compare the two (McCarthy and McArthur) but they are different players.

“The attitude of James McArthur is first class. I have had great experiences with boys such as him where the penny suddenly drops. He understands his position and understands his importance in the team. Because of that, there is a bigger degree of improvement to come from him than from other players. I am excited by him.

“He started in Slovenia so for me to put him in there showed a lot of confidence in him. He played against Brazil, played in the Carling Cup and scored a goal. I have been keeping a close eye on him.

“We don’t have what I would class as a current experienced holding midfield player. There is a role there for someone and he is very much pushing himself forward. He has done fantastically well.”

Maloney has been the creative spark that ignited Wigan’s season and Levein is delighted the former Celtic player has put his injury problems behind him.

He said: “Shaun has been a wee bit unfortunate in his international career in that he has been dogged by injury. He played excellently up in the Faroes then was injured at Celtic. He moved to Wigan and didn’t get in the team.

“In that time eight or so international matches went by so he has missed a chunk of games. Back in the Wigan team, he has shown recently why I would always have him in the squad because he is quality.

“He’s an international class player and will come with us on a high. So will Gary – he is an inspirational character. Gary is always there, I think he was voted Wigan’s player of the year and his attitude every time he comes to the group is fantastic.”

Caldwell could form a defensive
partnership with the recalled Hearts defender Andy Webster, whom Levein believes is another player ready to pick up the pieces of an international career that has been dogged by injury.

Webster has 23 caps but Levein reckons that but for his injuries, he’d be in the Scotland Hall of Fame.

He said: “I signed Andy as a kid from Arbroath. He absolutely has international qualities. He should have had 50 caps but loads of things have happened that have hampered him.

“I had a discussion a while ago about Andy and needed to see him back playing week in, week out, getting himself back to a level where he is match fit and match sharp. Now he is at that level and he has been fantastic.

“I took him to Dundee United and he lifted the Scottish Cup. He has gone to Hearts, they are in the final and he’s been a key player. He and Caldwell are similar – they like to talk, to organise and help people round about them.

“Centre-back is a position where the older you get the more you understand the position and the better you perform.”

Levein wants a pool of around 40 players with four vying for each role and believes he is well on the way to that.

He added: “I’m saying 40, it might be 38 or 43, but it will become a pool that I’ll pick from. I’m not saying it will be closed at all. I’m going to try to get four players for each position as a starting point for the bigger pool.

“I’m not saying I can guarantee to get four for each position but I’d like to look towards that. If I could do that, it would indicate the strength of the group.”

Three Rangers players – Allan McGregor, Lee Wallace and Steven Whittaker – are in the squad and Levein is confident their off-field problems will not hinder them.

He said: “They have issues at Rangers but I know the lads really well and know they are professional enough to come away with Scotland and not let what’s happening affect them. The transfer window doesn’t open until June so I don’t see any problems with that.”